Marcel Duchamp

Genius, anti-artist, charlatan, guru, impostor? Since 1914 Marcel Duchamp has been called all these. No artist of the 20th century has aroused more passion and controversy, nor exerted a greater influence on art, whose very nature Duchamp challenged and redefined as concept rather than product by questioning its traditionally privileged optical nature. At the same time, he never ceased to be engaged, openly or secretly, in provocative activities and works which transformed traditional artmaking procedures.

Thirty years of research have gone into this accessible text on a complex artist. Written with the enthusiastic support of Duchamp’s widow, this is one of the most original and important books ever written on this enigmatic artist, and challenges received ideas, misunderstanding and misinformation.

Dawn Ades is the author of many books including Dalí and Photomontage, both in the World of Art series.